Ashes to Ashes

In the midst of a snow emergency we note the Sanitation Department's main weapon against street ice is Rock salt which loses its effectiveness below 24 Fah. If ice on sidewalks cannot be removed they recommend ashes, sawdust or cat litter. If you are cat-less and temporarily out of sawdust that leaves you only ashes. My family's row house, built in 1931, contained a coal burning heater and for many years our winter routine was to place "ashcans" of ashes by the curb for collection. By and by our family became the last house on the street still burning coal and all the neighbors loved our ashes. When we finally converted to gas heat we noted a distinct chill in the neighborhood. Be careful underfoot.
tjs